Sherry-Cake Dessert

3/4 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup water
4 whole cloves
1/2 cup sherry
6 to 8 slices pound, sponge or plain cake slices
5 egg yolks
Peach segments

Boil sugar, water and cloves together for 5 minutes. Cool, then add sherry.

While syrup cools, arrange cake slices on a large round platter. Arrange like flower petals, their ends meeting toward the center, leaving a 3-inch diameter hole in the center. Between cake slices arrange long segments of peaches.

Slightly heat yolks, pour a little syrup over them, and stir. Empty into remaining syrup and stir over medium heat until mixture coats a spoon (about 5 minutes). Pour over the cake and peach segments. Garnish as desired. Serve hot or cold.